Velez Rubio
Situated next to the Murcia-Granada motorway, Velez Rubio is the gateway to the Sierra Maria national park, and is also the largest town in the very north of Almeria province.
Although Velez Rubio is situated in the very north of the province, communications are very good. The nearest larger towns, both with an abundance of opportunities for shopping are Huercal-Overa (40km) and Lorca (45km), both of which also have superb medical facilities.
There is no rail connection in the town (the nearest is Lorca), but buses depart from the Hotel Zurich in the centre of town to a number of destinations (e.g., Barcelona, 3 buses per day).
Velez Rubio - En Español
Velez Rubia esta localizado cerca de la autovia Murcia-Granada y es una pueblo rural espectacular. El pueblo esta localizado en la zona interior de la provincia de Almeria en la Alpujarra Almeriense y ofrece todo lo que necesitas para unas vacaciones rurales en Almeria. Tienes varios restaurantes y ventas de calidad, unas de las mejores hoteles rurales de Almeria y tambien la naturaleza es impresionante en la zona.
The town
Agriculture is the main activity in Velez Rubio (35% of the land area is cultivated), concentrated on winter wheat (fodder), olives and almonds. The climate is different to that of the coast (the altitude is 847 metres above sea level) with warm summers (up to 40C) and winters which can bring snow.
Being the centre of such an area, Velez Rubio is naturally a market town (market day is Saturday) and has most facilities.
The town centre is typical of the area, with narrow streets and small squares, with a number of buildings of architectural interest. The main square, containing the town hall (ayuntamiento, shown to the left) also has the largest church in town, the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, which has an attractive colourful traditional interior (see the following photograph).
Velez Rubio has quite a young population (21% are younger than 20 years), and this is reflected in the number of facilities for younger persons, including a number of cafes and other entertainments, providing a night life which is more active than would normally be found in a town of this size.
There are a number of good restaurants as well as one of the best tapas bars in the area - Colombo, in the Carrera Del Carmen.
History
The area of Velez Rubio is known to have been inhabited for more than 18000 years, based on the discovery of stone axe- and arrowheads. These early inhabitants were hunters and farmers.
One of the major Roman ways, the Via Augusta was close to the current Velez Rubio. This way connected Rome with Cadiz. The Moors were also in the area; the Cerro del Castellón, which contains the ruins of an Alcazaba (citadel) which even had plumbing !
Most of the development of the town was carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries, giving rise to a style which is known as Classical Velezano. The Church of La Encarnación, which has been declared a national monument, was built in the 18th century.
Facts
* Population 6592
* 847 metres above sea-level
* Total land area: 282 km²
Airports:
* Alicante: 1 hour 30 minutes
* Almeria: 1 hour 30 minutes
* Murcia: 1 hour
Outings:
* The beach: 50 minutes
* Granada: 1 hour 30 minutes
Events:
* Market every Saturday
* Carnival in February
* Fiesta 1st week of August
* Holy Week(Semana Santa)
Facilities:
* Clinic
* 2 Modern hospitals within 30 minutes
* 4 chemists
* 3 supermarkets
* 9 banks
* 5 restaurants
* 2 hotels
* Municipal pool
Useful addresses:
Town hall
(Ayuntamiento)
Plaza Encarnación,1
950 614015
Local police
(Policia Local)
Plaza Encarnación,1
609 693339
950 412441
Guardia Civil
Valero S/N
950 412494
Post office
(Correos y telegrafos)
Carrera Del Carmen, 11
950 410181
Clinic
(Centro médico)
C/. Villa Maria s/n
950 410838
Ambulance
(Urgencias médicas)
CN 340 km 555
950 134343
Hospital
(Hospital Immaculada)
950 134851